Leash mount and releasable leash system

ABSTRACT

A leash mount comprises a bottom wall, a side wall having an inner side wall section and an outer side wall section, and an upper wall. A leash cavity is formed between the bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall. The leash cavity is accessible through a leash opening arranged in the outer side wall section and through a deck opening arranged in the upper wall. A retainer member extends upwardly from the bottom wall to the deck opening. The retainer member has an upper surface sloped outwardly towards the leash opening and a substantially vertical inner surface opposite the leash opening. The leash mount is used with correspondingly shaped looped end of a leash to form a releasable leash system. When engaged, the looped end of the leash wraps around the retainer member of the leash mount, securing the leash to the leash mount.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application 61/814,749filed on Apr. 22, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a releasable leash systemand more specifically to a releasable leash system that mechanicallycouples a human being to a mobile sports device, such as a surfboard,snowboard, skateboard, wakeboard or bodyboard.

BACKGROUND

Numerous sports devices include a board element upon which a user standsand balances during use. It is often desirable to provide a leashcoupling the user to the board element to increase the ease ofmanagement and retrieval of the board element. In the prior art a firstend of the leash is typically attached to the trailing section of theboard element. Board leashes may include a second end having a wrist orankle strap for attachment to the user's body. The leash is preferablylong enough to reduce the likelihood of injury to the user, e.g., asurfer, when the user becomes separated from the board element, whileenabling the surfer to readily recover the board element for remounting.

A rail saver comprising a strip of fabric wider than the cord mayoptionally be provided to protect the board element from damagingcontact with the cord. The rail saver may increase undesirable drag thatdegrades the mobility of the board element.

The prior art provides leashes that enable removal of the leash from theuser as desired by the user, while securing the leash to the board bymeans of a cord knotted about a pin located within a plug assembly. Theplug assembly (hereafter “plug”) may be fitted into a recessed area ofthe board, whereby the plug and its pin are located below asubstantially planar deck surface of the board. The cord may be untiedfrom the pin to facilitate storage of the sports device. Undesirably,the cord may also be detached from the other leash elements andmisplaced between uses of the leash.

The prior art includes various attempts to improve leash systems, inparticular for use with surfboards. U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,861 presents acombination leash attachment and lock for a surfboard. U.S. Pat. No.5,199,916 discloses a releasable anchor plug with a retractable leashpin which secures a loop of a leash in a leash cavity. U.S. Pat. No.6,390,872 discloses a surfboard having improved leash plug anchoring.U.S. Pat. App. Publication 2008/0160848 discloses a surfboard leashconnection module using a hook and loop attachment fabric to secure arail saver to an attachment pin. U.S. Pat. App. Publication 2012/0244763presents a flexible restraint for use as a leash for a surfboard inwhich an elongated elastic main portion and an end portion are molded asa one piece structure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,127,861; 5,199,916; 6,390,872and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2008/0160848 and 2012/0244763are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an improved leash mount for use with amobile sporting device such as for example a surfboard. The new leashmount and releasable leash system can be manufactured at lower cost,comprises fewer components, is more reliable, quicker to operate andlighter than known leash systems. By providing a predetermineddirectionality of the leash the disclosed system significantly reducesthe risk of a surfer becoming entangled by the leash.

These advantages are achieved by a leash mount which comprises a bottomwall, a side wall with an inner side wall section and an outer side wallsection, and an upper wall. A leash cavity is formed between the bottomwall, the side wall, and the upper wall. The leash cavity is accessiblethrough two openings in the leash mount: A leash opening is provided andarranged in the outer side wall section. A deck opening is arranged inthe upper wall. A retainer member extends upwardly from the bottom walltowards the deck opening. The retainer member has an upper surfacesloped outwardly towards the leash opening and a substantially verticalinner surface opposite the leash opening.

The leash cavity within the leash mount is shaped to accept a looped endof a leash which is inserted into the leash mount through the leashopening such that the looped end of the leash wraps around the retainermember.

The leash cavity may further comprise a nipple recess within the innerside wall section opposite the leash opening. The nipple recess providesspace for a nipple which extends forward from the looped end of a leash.When engaged, the nipple may be the only part of the leash that extendsthrough the leash opening of the leash mount. The nipple is used todisengage the leash from the leash mount, allowing a user to easily pullthe looped end of the leash rearwardly over the retaining member.

To securely attach the leash mount to a mobile sporting device a width(w4) of the outer side wall is preferably shorter than a maximum width(w2) of the leash mount.

The leash mount may be made of molded polymer. In particular, the leashmount may be formed as a molded piece of polyamide plastic.

The leash mount may be securely attached to a trailing section of aboard element of a mobile sports device, e.g. a surfboard. In that casethe upper wall is substantially level with a deck surface of the boardelement, and the outer side wall section is exposed at a rear end of theboard element. The board element may comprise laminated fiberglass, andthe leash mount may be attached during assembly of the board elementbefore the board element is laminated. In that case a disposable sealmember or a plurality of disposable seal members may be used to seal theleash cavity during assembly of the leash mount to the board element.

The leash plug and a corresponding leash form a releasable leash system.The corresponding leash has a looped first end and an opposite secondend. The leash is inserted into the leash mount through the leashopening and the looped first end wraps around the retainer member. Inthe engaged state the looped first end of the leash transfers anylongitudinal force from the leash into the substantially vertical innersurface of the retaining member.

The leash mount and the leash may be made of a same material. Morespecifically, the leash may be made of an elastic material which assumesa predetermined shape when not deflected by external force. By using anelastic material the leash may be provided predetermined directionalityby appropriately positioning the leash opening of the leash mount.

The leash may comprise a first leash section and a second leash sectionwhich are connected to each other by a swivel. The swivel may bedisposed substantially centrally within the leash between the loopedfirst end and the second end of the leash. More preferably, the firstleash section and the second leash section may be sized unevenly. Morespecifically, the length of the first leash section may be between 5%and 30% of the total length of the leash. To total length of the leashis the sum of the length of the first leash section and the length ofthe second leash section.

The first and second leash sections may be made of material havingdifferent elasticity and hardness. The first and the second leashsection may be injection molded pieces, and the swivel between them maybe overmolded into the first leash section and/or the second leashsection. The first leash section and the section leash section may besimultaneously molded in one process step. The leash may be made ofpolyurethane. The looped first end of the leash may be an integralinjection molded part of the leash.

The second end of the leash may be connected to an ankle cuff. Tofurther improve the directional guidance of the leash the ankle cuff maycomprise an adhesive inner surface which prevents rotation of the anklecuff against the skin of a user. The adhesive inner surface may besilicone. The ankle cuff may be sewed to an attachment plate, which isan integral molded part of the second end of the leash.

The looped first end of the leash may further comprise a nipple whichextends upwardly through the deck opening when the leash is connected tothe leash mount.

A protective device for a surfboard may be inserted into the leash mountto protect a trailing section of the surfboard which is stored upright.The protective device provides an elastic stand having a first endshaped to securely engage the leash mount and a second end extendingoutwardly from the leash mount beyond the trailing section of thesurfboard.

The releasable leash system may comprise a leash mount having a leashopening through which an end of a leash is inserted. The leash mountcomprises a leash cavity and a retainer member disposed within the leashcavity. The retainer member may be arranged substantially perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the leash. The end of the leash comprises aretainer recess which engages the retainer member when the leash isfully inserted into the leash mount. The leash may be made of elasticmaterial, and the leash opening may be smaller than the end of the leashsuch that the end of the leash is elastically deformed while beinginserted through the leash opening. The shape of the end of the leashcorresponds to a shape of the leash cavity.

The disclosed leash mount may further comprise a deck opening. The endof the leash may protrude through the deck opening while the end of theleash slides over the retaining member when the leash is insertedthrough the leash opening into the leash cavity. The end of the leashmay be arranged substantially level with or below the deck opening whenit is fully inserted into the leash mount and the retaining memberengages the retainer recess. The retainer recess may be an eye of aloop.

The leash mount may be mounted within a trailing section of a boardelement of a mobile sports device. In this arrangement the end of theleash may be directed rearward away from the sporting device wheninserted into the leash mount. This prevents the leash from being washedonto the board and become an entanglement hazard for the surfer.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theorypresented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary complete releasable leash system with a leashmount and a leash.

FIG. 2 a is a more detailed view of a leash mount and a correspondingend of a leash.

FIG. 2 b is the same as FIG. 2 a, showing different reference numerals.

FIG. 3 a through FIG. 3 d show a cross sectional view A-A of FIG. 2 b,during various phases of inserting a leash into a leash mount.

FIG.4 shows an exemplary releasable leash system in use on a surfboard.

FIG. 5 shows proportions of an exemplary releasable leash system.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of an attachment plate to which an anklecuff can be attached.

FIG. 6 b is a side view of the attachment plate show in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 shows disposable seal members that may be used to protect theleash mount during assembly to a sporting device.

FIG. 8 shows a core suitable for forming an integral leash mount withina sporting device.

FIG. 9 shows a leash adapter for connecting a novel leash to atraditional leash plug.

FIG. 10 shows a leash mount adapter and alternative uses thereof.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary surfboard with two leash mounts andalternative uses of the leash mount adapter shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 a shows a leash mount where the deck opening and the leashopening are both accessible from the deck of a mobile sporting device.

FIG. 13 b shows a leash mount using a stainless steel pin to separatethe deck opening and the leash opening of the mount.

FIG. 13 c shows a leash mount with ribs in its inner side wall section.

FIG. 13 d shows a leash mount with an extended side wall.

FIG. 14 a shows a looped end of a leash with a nipple.

FIG. 14 b shows a looped end of a leash with a release tab.

FIG. 15 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a secondleash section with screws connecting the swivel to the leash sections.

FIG. 16 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a secondleash section with a combination of a screw and overmolding used toconnect the swivel to the leash sections.

FIG. 17 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a secondleash section, the swivel being molded into both the first and thesecond leash section.

FIG. 18 shows a swivel connecting a first leash section to a secondleash section, the swivel being molded into both the first and thesecond leash section, the leash sections being an integral part of theleash.

FIG. 19 shows a camera mount which may connect to a leash mount.

FIG. 20 illustrates various alternative placements of leash mounts on asurfboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a releasable leash system 1 can be used toreleasable connect a human to a mobile sporting device, e.g. asurfboard. FIG. 1 show the releasable leash system 1 in a disengagedstate where a leash 100 is disconnected from a leash mount 200. Theleash 100 comprises a first leash section 110 which is connected by aswivel 130 to a second leash section 111. A first end 101 of the leash100 is configured to attach to the leash mount 200. The first end 101 ofthe leash is formed as a loop 113, leaving an eye 115 which, wheninserted into the leash mount 200, wraps around a correspondingretaining member 230. Opposite the first end 101 is a second end 102 ofthe leash 100. Connected to the second end 102 of the leash is an anklecuff 120.

A more detailed view of the leash mount 200 and the first end 101 of theleash 100 is provided in FIG. 2 a. As shown, the leash mount 200comprises a bottom wall 210 and a side wall 220. The side wall 220comprises an inner side wall section 221 which is invisible within themobile sporting device when the leash mount 200 is assembled within acorresponding opening of a mobile sporting device. Contrary thereto, anouter side wall section 222 is visible and accessible when the leashmount is assembled within a mobile sporting device.

An upper wall 218 is provided opposite the bottom wall 210. The bottomwall 210, the side wall 220 and the upper wall 218 form the outersurfaces of the leash mount 200. Between these walls and within theleash plug a leash cavity 217 is formed. The leash cavity 217 isaccessible from outside through a leash opening 219 which is providedwithin the outer sidewall section 222. The leash cavity 217 is alsoaccessible through a deck opening 240 within the upper wall 218. Asshown in FIG. 2 a, the upper wall 218 may extend with a radius into theouter side wall section 222. The upper wall 218 separates the deckopening 240 from the leash opening 219. The upper wall 218 need notnecessarily be long: The upper wall 218 may for example be formed as around metal pin to hold down the first end 101 of the leash 100 withinthe leash cavity 217.

Disposed within the leash cavity 217 is a retaining member 230. Theretainer member 230 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 210 towardsthe deck opening 240. The retaining member has an upper surface 232which is sloped outwardly towards the leash opening 219. A substantiallyvertical inner surface 231 faces inwardly opposite the leash opening219. The substantially vertical inner surface 231 is arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to an entry channel for a leash formed bythe leash opening 219.

The leash cavity 217 may further comprise a nipple recess 216 within theinner side wall section 221. The nipple provides space for acorresponding nipple 114 of the leash 100 when the leash 100 engages theleash mount 200.

Advantageous proportions of the releasable leash system 1 are furtherdescribed with reference to FIG. 2 b. The leash cavity 217 has a widthw₁. The leash mount 200 has a maximum width w₂ inward of the outer sidewall section 222. The outer side wall section 222 has a width w₄. Theleash opening 219 within the outer side wall section 222 has a width w₃.The looped end 101 of the leash 100 has a maximum width w₅ across itseye 115.

To firmly attach the leash mount 200 within a corresponding cavity of amobile sporting device the maximum width w₂ of the leash mount 200 iswider than the width w₄ of the outwardly accessible outer side wallsection 222. In effect, any force pulling the leash mount 200 towardsthe leash opening 219 can be absorbed by the widening inner side wallsection 221. The leash mount 200 may comprise slots or ribs in its innerside wall section 221 or in its bottom wall 210 to further strengthenthe bond between the leash mount 200 and the mobile sporting device towhich it is attached. Exemplary ribs 255 in the inner side wall section221 are shown in FIG. 13 c.

The width w₁ of the leash cavity 217 corresponds to the width w₅ of thelooped leash end 101 and is wider than the width w₃ of the leash opening219. In effect, the leash end 101 is elastically deformed by pushingtogether the looped end 101 when inserting it through the relativelynarrower leash opening 219.

Operation of the releasable leash system is illustrated more detailed inFIG. 3 a through 3 d. FIG. 3 a shows the first end 101 of the leash 100including the nipple 114 being inserted into the leash opening 219 ofthe leash mount 200. The leash 100 is pushed in insertion direction (I)through the leash opening 219 towards the leash cavity 217 of the leashmount 200. In this phase the looped end 101 is compressed to fit throughthe leash opening 219.

At some point, as illustrated in FIG. 3 b, the first looped end 101 ofthe leash 100 including the nipple 114 reach the retaining member 230within the leash cavity 217. Here, the looped end 101 which had beencompressed while sliding through the leash opening 219 expands back toits original width and slides upwardly along the upper surface 232 ofthe retaining member. While sliding upward the first looped end 101 ofthe leash 100 reaches through the deck opening 240 of the leash mount200.

Continued inward movement of the leash 100 along insertion direction (I)allows the looped end 101 to reach the tip 233 of the retaining member230 as illustrated in FIG. 3 c.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 d, the looped end 101 of the leash 100slides over the tip 233 of the retaining member and engages thesubstantially vertical inner surface 231 of the retaining member 230. Inthis fully engaged position only the nipple 114 reaches through the deckopening 240 of the leash mount 200. The looped end 101 of the leash isseated within the leash cavity 217 and retained therein by the retainingmember 230 which engaged the eye 115 of the looped end 101 of the leash100. Upward movement of the leash 100 is prevented by the upper wall218. The leash 100 is now securely attached to the leash mount 200. Anyretracting force (F) on the leash 100 is transferred into thesubstantially vertical inner surface 231 of the retaining member 230.Any sideways, upward or downward component of a retracting force (F) onthe leash is absorbed by the leash opening 219, thereby preventingunintentional disengagement of the leash 100 from the leash mount 200.

The simple plug-operating allows very quick attachment of the leash 100to the leash mount 200, resulting in an approximately 90% time savingover traditional leash attachment systems. This time saving is importantfor competitive surfers who often switch their board. For recreationalsurfers the new attachment system 1 increases convenience, especiallywhen switching boards in water, where the relative ease of attachmentwill be appreciated.

To release the leash 100 from the leash mount 200, a user may pullupwardly and backwardly on the nipple 114 of the leash 100 until thelooped end 101 of the leash 100 reaches the tip 233 of the retainingmember 230. After that, the leash 100 may be pulled out of the leashmount 200 opposite the direction insertion (I).

While the nipple 114 may be molded as an integral part of the looped end101 it may also be formed as a string or a band which is attached to ormolded into the looped end 101. Nipple 114 may also be eliminated,however in that case a tool may be needed to grab and pull backward thelooped end 101 when it is located in the leash cavity 217.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the leash 100 may be made of an elasticmaterial which assumes a predetermined shape when not deflected byexternal force. As shown, the leash mount 200 is assembled in the aftsection of a surfboard 300, connecting the leg 41 of a surfer to hisboard. Traditional leash systems suffered from the leash washing ontothe deck of a surfboard 300, leading to possible entanglement of thesurfer with the leash. In contrast, the disclosed leash 100 wheninserted into the leash mount 200 is directed way from the surfer. Theselected elastic material of the leash 100 supports the forming of aloop from the leg 41 of the surfer to the leash mount 200 withouttwisting.

FIG. 5 shows the releasable leash system 1 in an engaged state where theleash 100 is connected to the leash mount 200. The leash 100 comprises afirst leash section 110 which is connected by a swivel 130 to a secondleash section 111. The first end 101 of the leash 100 is configured toattach to the leash mount 200. Opposite the first end 101 is a secondend 102 of the leash 100. Connected to the second end 102 is an anklecuff 120.

Previously, leash systems used to require two swivels, one swivel beingdisposed close to the first end of the leash, and a second swivel beingdisposed close to the second end of the leash. In contrast, thedisclosed leash system requires only one swivel 130, which is locatedmore centrally between the first end 101 and the second end 102 of theleash 100. In particular, the length 11 of the first leash sectionbetween the first end 101 of the leash 100 and the swivel 130 isbeneficially between 5% and 30% of the total length l1+l2 of the leash100. In practice, one may manufacture the first leash section 110 at afixed length, and manufacture the second leash section 111 withdifferent lengths to achieve a desired total leash length of e.g. 5 to10 feet. A first leash section 110 may for example be 0.5 foot long, anda second leash section 111 may be 9.5 feet long, i.e. the length l1 offirst leash section 110 is 5% of the total length l1+l2 of the leash100. In a different example a first leash section 110 may for example be1 foot long, and a second leash section 111 may be 4 feet long, i.e. thelength l1 of first leash section 110 is 20% of the total length l1+l2 ofthe leash 100. The placement of the swivel 130 leads to the swivel 130being subjected exclusively to longitudinal force and rotational forcethrough the leash 100 without a lateral or bending component, thusallowing the swivel 130 to operate optimally. Unnecessary loops or nosesthat prior leash systems are prone to develop during use are effectivelyprevented with the disclosed arrangement.

The first leash section 110 and the second leash section 111 may be madeof the same material, for example be made of thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU). Different types of thermoplastic polyurethane having differenthardness are available. The first leash section 110 and the second leashsection 111 may be made of material having different elasticity andhardness. Advantageously, the first leash section 110 may be harder thanthe second leash section 111. For example, a regular leash with adiameter of 6 mm may comprise a first leash section 110 and its loopedfirst end 101 with a hardness of about 95 Shore A while the second leashsection 111 may be softer with a hardness between 82 and 92 Shore A. Acompetition leash with a diameter of 5 mm may have a first leash section110 having a hardness of about 95 Shore A while the second leash section111 may be softer with a hardness of 90±2 Shore A. For optimalperformance the looped end 101 should have a hardness of more than 92Shore A. The diameter of the leash 100 is chosen depending on thespecific intended use (large waves or small waves).

The swivel 130 may be overmolded into the first leash section 110 and/orthe second leash section 111. Swivel 130 may include an internal ballbearing and is preferably made of stainless steel. The first leashsection 110 and the second leash section 111 may be simultaneouslymolded in one process step. Similarly, the looped first end 101 of theleash 100 may be an integral injection molded part of the leash 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, an ankle cuff 120 is attached to the second end 102of the leash 100. FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b show the second end 102 of theleash in more detail. The second end 102 of the leash as shown comprisesan integral plate 126 to which the ankle cuff 120 can be sewed. Thedimensions of the integral plate 126 may be about 4 cm×4 cm.

In a further improvement, an adhesive material, for example silicon, maybe applied to the inner surface 121 of the ankle cuff 120. The adhesivematerial prevents the ankle cuff 120 from rotating around the ankle ofthe surfer even under traction, so that the leash 100 is directedrearward away from the surfer's leg. The ankle cuff 120 may be made ofAlcantara® or a similarly soft material to provide user comfort.

The disclosed design provides a significant cost advantage by reducingthe total number of parts that make leash 100, and by allowing theremaining parts to be manufactured very efficiently. In a firstmanufacturing step the leash 100 can be molded with its looped end 101on one end and attachment plate 126 on the opposite end. In a secondmanufacturing step the ankle cuff 120 is sewed to the attachment plate,completing the leash 100 in only two steps. Previously, two swivels weretypically attached to the leash, one being screwed or riveted to a railsaver, the other being screwed or riveted to the ankle cuff. Havingovermolded one swivel 130 directly into the leash 100 eliminates theneed for manual attachment of a swivel and increases robustness of thesystem overall. Even though the disclosed leash 100 is more robust, italso is about 20% lighter than a traditional leash.

The directional guidance of both ends of the leash 100 when in useaddresses a significant drawback of existing leash systems: Previously,ankle cuffs had a tendency to slip around a surfer's ankle when underlateral tension. As a result of such a rotation at the ankle, a leashcould run between the surfer's legs, and thus have a disruptive effecton further surfing. Also, known leash plugs provided no directionalguidance for the leash, allowing waves to push the leash, or a stringattached to the leash, onto the board which caused entanglement andsubsequent falling. The here presented releasable leash system 1 guidesthe leash 100 rearward away from the surfer both at the ankle cuff 120and at the leash mount 200 and effectively solves the problem of asurfer becoming entangled with the leash. This is particularly importantduring the critical take off phase when a surfer catches a wave andrises from a lying position to standing on the board.

Also, previously known leash plugs were mounted onto a surfboard such,that the leash would be attached from the deck side of the surfboard,requiring strings and rail savers to attach a leash and to protect theboard from being damaged. Those are no longer necessary, as the leashopening 219 of the here presented leash mount 200 is positioned within asurfboard such, that the leash 100 exists rearward without contactingthe deck of the surfboard. In prior systems the string, the rail saver,and the leash were typically made from materials having differentelasticity. This caused additional weak spots and increased likelihoodof failure. The present system avoids these weak spots and, by virtue ofreducing the overall part count, increases the robustness of the systemas there are fewer components that can fail.

The leash mount 200 may be made of a polymer and may in particular beformed as an injection molded piece of polyamide with a fiberglasscontent of approximately 30%, e.g. with a fiberglass content between 20%and 40%.

The leash mount 200 may be securely attached to a trailing section of aboard element of a mobile sports device, such that the upper wall 218 issubstantially flush with a deck surface of the board element. The outerside wall section 222 may be exposed at a rear end of the board element.In particular, the leash mount 200 may be mounted into a correspondinglyshaped cavity of a surfboard.

In an exemplary installation method the leash mount 200 may be installedduring the original assembly of a surfboard which comprises laminatedfiberglass. The leash mount 200 is attached during assembly of thesurfboard, and the surfboard deck is laminated after the leash mount 200has been attached. To prevent contamination of the leash cavity 217during assembly a first disposable seal member 34 as shown in FIG. 7 maybe used to close the deck opening 240 of the leash mount 200. A seconddisposable seal member 33 may further be used to close the leash opening219.

The leash mount 200 need not necessarily be a separate component but maybe formed as an integral part of a mobile sporting device such as asurfboard. It may for example be produced by using a silicon core 35 asshown in FIG. 8. The silicon core 35 is effectively a negative of theshape of the leash mount 200. The silicon core 35 is placed onto theboard before and during lamination of its deck and removed afterward.Thus, in the same production step of laminating the board's deck withresin and fiberglass, the leash mount 200 is seamlessly shaped andbecomes available upon removal of the silicon core 35. By manufacturingthe leash mount 200 with the silicon core 35 there is no need for aseparate leash mount component or for protecting such a separatecomponent during manufacturing.

The releasable leash system 1 may be used in a variety of differentways. Ideally, the disclosed leash 100 and corresponding leash mount 200are used together, and the leash mount 200 is mounted to a mobilesporting device as part of the original sporting device manufacturingprocess. Alternatively, the leash mount 200 may be assembled to a mobilesporting device in a retrofit assembly operation. Some users may,however, wish to combine a novel leash 100 with a traditional leash plug91 when using an older sporting device. This can be accomplished byproviding a leash adapter 40 as shown in FIG. 9.

Similarly, a user may wish to use an older conventional leash with thenovel leash mount 200. This can be accomplished by providing a leashmount adapter 28 as shown in FIG. 10. The leash mount adapter 28 mimicsthe shape of the end 101 of the novel leash 100, but is significantlyshorter. The leash mount adapter 28 comprises a hole 30 which allowsvarious uses. For example, a hook 29 may be attached to the leash mountadapter 28. Hook 29 may be used in combination with a leash mount 200that is placed in a forward section of a surfboard to secure thesurfboard to a rail as shown in FIG. 11, e.g. for storing the surfboardor showcasing multiple surfboards in a store. The leash mount adapter 28may also be used as a protective stand when inserted into a rear leashmount 200 as shown in FIG. 11, thereby protecting the rear section of asurfboard from being damaged when storing the surfboard upright.

As shown in FIG. 11, a surfboard may comprise two leash mounts 200, onein the trailing section and one in the bow section. The leash mount 200in the bow section of the surfboard may be used to attach a rearwardfacing camera, e.g. a wide-angle waterproof video camera thereto.

FIGS. 13 a-13 d illustrate alternative embodiments of leash mounts. Thealternative embodiment of a leash mount 251 shown in FIG. 13 a isaccessible only from an upper deck of a surfboard into which the leashmount 251 may be mounted. As illustrated, a stainless steel pin 250serves as an upper wall, restricting upward movement of a looped end ofa leash within a leash cavity and secures the looped end of the leashwhen it is wrapped around the retaining member 230. The stainless pin250 effectively separates the deck opening 219 from the leash opening219 of the leash mount 251, both openings being substantially level withthe deck surface of a sporting device.

FIG. 13 b shows another embodiment of a leash mount 252. Here, the leashmount also uses a stainless steel pin 250 to secure a looped end of aleash within a leash cavity. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG.13 a, the end of the leash is however inserted from the rear of theleash mount.

FIG. 13 c shows yet another embodiment of a leash mount 254. Here, ribs255 are provided on the inner side wall section to strengthen the bondbetween the leash mount 254 and the sporting device into which is may bemounted. Also, the illustrated embodiment does not utilize a nipplerecess.

Yet another embodiment of the leash mount 253 is shown in FIG. 13 d. Asshown, the leash mount 253 uses an extended side wall section.

Referring to the various embodiments of a leash mount 251, 252, 253, 254shown in FIG. 13 a-d, the following commonality can be observed: A leashmount 251, 252, 253, 254 comprises a leash cavity for accepting a loopedend of a leash. A substantially vertical retaining member 230 isarranged within the leash cavity. The looped end of a leash is wrappedaround the substantially vertical retaining member. In use, thesubstantially vertical retaining member absorbs pulling forces on theleash. A substantially horizontal retaining member (also referred to asan upper wall before) is disposed rearward of the substantially verticalretaining member, extending between two opposite walls that form theleash cavity. The substantially horizontal retaining member preventsupward movement of the looped end of the leash. A deck opening islocated above the substantially vertical retaining member. A leashopening is located rearward of the substantially horizontal retainingmember.

FIG. 14 a and FIG. 14 b illustrate alternative embodiments of the loopedend 101 of a leash 100, and in particular different styles of a releasemember which may be a nipple 114 a or a release tab 114 b.

FIG. 15 shows the connection between a first leash section 110 and asecond leash section 111 in more detail. Here, a known swivel 180,preferably made of stainless steel, is provided. The first leash section110 comprises a first screw cavity 151 for securing the swivel 180 tothe first leash section 110 with a screw 170. Screw 170 may be ahexagonal headless set screw. Similarly, the second leash section 111comprises a second screw cavity 161 which secures the swivel 180 to thesecond leash section 111 with a screw 170. As illustrated, the secondleash section may be made of relatively inexpensive bulk stock material162, which is overmolded with 95A shore TPU material 160 to connect theswivel 180 to the bulk stock material 162

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection between thefirst leash section 110 and the second leash section 111. Here, a swivel181 is overmolded within the first leash section 110. Swivel ribs 131are used to secure the overmold connection and securely hold the swivel171 within the first leash section 110. The attachment of the swivel 181to the second leash section 111 is as shown in FIG. 15, using a setscrew 170 to connect the swivel 181 to the second leash section 111. Asbefore, the second leash section may utilize bulk stock material 162which is overmolded with TPU material 160 to connect swivel 181.

Yet another embodiment of a swivel 182 is shown in FIG. 17. Here, bothends of the swivel comprise swivel ribs 131 and are overmolded. Asshown, no screws are needed to connect the first leash section 110 tothe second leash section 111. Instead, swivel 182 is molded directly tothe first leash section 110 and to the second leash section 111. Asbefore, the second leash section may comprise bulk leash material 162which is overmolded with material 160 to connect the swivel 182.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first leash section 110 and the second leashsection 111 may be formed as molded TPU, and swivel 130 may be directlyovermolded with the respective leash sections. Swivel ribs 131 may beaxially spaced along the swivel's longitudinal axis to retain the swivelwithin the molded leash sections 110,111.

FIG. 19 shows a camera mount 190 having a looped end 191 which mayconnect to the leash mount as disclosed in this paper. Fins 192 areprovided at the opposite end to stabilize a camera (not shown), whichmay be attached to the camera mount 190.

While the leash mount as disclosed provides an excellent way ofattaching a leash to a mobile sporting device, it may be used to attachother elements or devices to a mobile sporting device. Possiblelocations of a leash mount on a surfboard are shown in FIG. 20. Thosemounts may for example be used to attach camera(s) or ankle straps onalternative positions on the surfboard with a common releasableattachment system.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed orillustrated embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to covernumerous other modifications, substitutions, variations and broadequivalent arrangements that are included within the spirit and scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A leash mount comprising: a bottom wall; a sidewall comprising an inner side wall section and an outer side wallsection; an upper wall; a leash cavity between the bottom wall, the sidewall, and the upper wall; a leash opening arranged in the outer sidewall section; a deck opening arranged in the upper wall; and a retainermember extending upwardly from the bottom wall to the deck opening, theretainer member having an upper surface sloped outwardly towards theleash opening and a substantially vertical inner surface opposite theleash opening.
 2. The leash mount as in claim 1, wherein the leashcavity is shaped to accept a looped end of a leash which is insertedinto the leash mount through the leash opening such that the looped endof the leash wraps around the retainer member.
 3. The leash mount as inclaim 1, wherein the leash cavity comprises a nipple recess within theinner side wall section opposite the leash opening.
 4. The leash mountas in claim 1, wherein a width (w₄) of the outer side wall is shorterthan a maximum width (w₂) of the leash mount.
 5. The leash mount as inclaim 1 made of a molded polymer.
 6. The leash mount as in claim 1formed as a molded piece of polyamide with a fiberglass content ofapproximately 30%.
 7. The leash mount as in claim 1 securely attached toa trailing section of a board element of a mobile sports device, whereinthe upper wall is substantially level with a deck surface of the boardelement, and wherein the outer side wall section is exposed at a rearend of the board element.
 8. The leash mount as in claim 7, wherein theboard element comprises laminated fiberglass, and wherein the leashmount is attached during assembly of the board element, and wherein theboard element is laminated after the leash mount has been attached. 9.The leash mount as in claim 8, further comprising a disposable sealmember which seals the leash cavity during assembly of the leash mountto the board element.
 10. A releasable leash system comprising: theleash mount as in claim 1 and a leash having a looped first end and anopposite second end, wherein the leash is inserted into the leash mountthrough the leash opening and the looped first end wraps around theretainer member.
 11. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, whereinthe looped first end of the leash transfers a force from the leash intothe substantially vertical inner surface of the retaining member. 12.The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash mount andthe leash are made of a same material.
 13. The releasable leash systemas in claim 10, wherein the leash is made of an elastic material whichassumes a predetermined shape when not deflected by external force. 14.The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash comprisesa first leash section and a second leash section, further comprising aswivel connecting the first section to the second section.
 15. Thereleasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the swivel is disposedbetween the looped first end and the second end.
 16. The releasableleash system as in claim 14, wherein a length (l1) of the first leashsection is between 5% and 30% of the total length (l1+l2) of the leash.17. The releasable leash system as in claim 14, wherein the first leashsection and the second leash section are made of material havingdifferent elasticity and hardness.
 18. The releasable leash system as inclaim 14, wherein the swivel is overmolded into the first leash sectionand/or the second leash section.
 19. The releasable leash system as inclaim 14, wherein the first leash section and the section leash sectionhave been simultaneously molded in one process step.
 20. The releasableleash system as in claim 10, wherein the leash is made of polyurethane.21. The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the looped firstend of the leash is an integral injection molded part of the leash. 22.The releasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the second end ofthe leash is connected to an ankle cuff.
 23. The releasable leash systemas in claim 22, wherein the ankle cuff comprises an adhesive innersurface which prevents rotation of the ankle cuff against the skin of auser.
 24. The releasable leash system as in claim 23, wherein theadhesive inner surface is comprises silicone.
 25. The releasable leashsystem as in claim 10, wherein the second end of the leash extends intoan attachment plate 26).
 26. The releasable leash system as in claim 25,wherein an ankle cuff is sewed to the attachment plate.
 27. Thereleasable leash system as in claim 10, wherein the looped first end ofthe leash further comprises a nipple which extends upwardly through thedeck opening when the leash is connected to the leash mount.
 28. Aprotective device for a surfboard comprising the leash mount as in claim1 securely attached to a trailing section of the surfboard and anelastic stand having a first end shaped to securely engage the leashmount and a second end extending outwardly from the leash mount beyondthe trailing section of the surfboard.
 29. A releasable leash systemcomprising a leash mount having a leash opening through which an end ofa leash is inserted, the leash mount comprising a leash cavity and aretainer member disposed within the leash cavity, wherein the end of theleash comprises a retainer recess which engages the retainer member whenthe leash is fully inserted into the leash mount.
 30. The releasableleash system as in claim 29, wherein the end of the leash is made ofelastic material, and wherein the leash opening is smaller than the endof the leash such that the end of the leash is elastically deformedwhile being inserted through the leash opening.
 31. The releasable leashsystem as in claim 29, wherein a shape of the end of the leashcorresponds to a shape of the leash cavity.
 32. The releasable leashsystem as in claim 29, wherein the leash mount further comprises a deckopening, wherein the end of the leash protrudes through the deck openingwhile the end of the leash slides over the retaining member when theleash is inserted through the leash opening into the leash cavity andwherein the end of the leash is level with or below the deck openingwhen the end of the leash is fully inserted into the leash mount and theretaining member engages the retainer recess.
 33. The releasable leashsystem as in claim 29, wherein the retainer recess is an eye of a loop.34. The releasable leash system as in claim 29, wherein the leash mountis mounted within a trailing section of a board element of a mobilesports device and wherein the end of the leash is directed rearward awayfrom the sporting device when inserted into the leash mount.
 35. Thereleasable leash system as in claim 29, wherein the retainer member isarranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of theleash.
 36. A releasable leash system comprising: a leash mount having aleash cavity formed between two opposite side walls; a substantiallyvertically arranged retainer member disposed within the leash cavity;and a substantially horizontally arranged retainer member extendingbetween the opposite side walls rearward of the substantially verticallyarranged retainer member.
 37. The releasable leash system as in claim36, further comprising a leash having a looped end which wraps aroundthe substantially vertically arranged retainer member and is held withinthe leash cavity by the substantially horizontally arranged retainermember.